Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Your home state concealed carry permit does not mean a thing here in Illinois

On separate occasions I’ve run into three people this year
sporting IWB holstered handguns in northern Illinois, all at local malls, two
getting out of cars with Wisconsin plates and a third walking out of a store so
I had no idea where he was from. When I
pointed out to all three that their shirts had ridden up over their iron (or
plastic), they each looked nervously indignant and blathered, “It’s okay, I’ve
gots me a permit.” Not wishing to contradict
well-heeled folks, I just smiled, gave a thumbs-up and went about my business.

Unless you happen to be an active or retired peace officer covered by
LEOSA, your Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, Minnesota, or wherever permit does
not mean squat anywhere in Illinois. If caught
and you survive what could be an engaging encounter with our gang-crime-seasoned
constabulary, the initial charge is a Class 4 FELONY. If convicted of a FELONY, you not only stand
to lose your home state permit, you could also lose your right to own firearms
altogether. CLICK HERE to read about an Indiana couple trying to conceal-carry a handgun into the Six Flags theme park in Gurnee, Illinois. If you have a charming personality and loads of money to
pay for a top-notch barrister, you MAY be able to wiggle your way to a
misdemeanor plea deal, but that is a bet you may not wish to place.

If you have objections to Illinois having no provisions to
honor your concealed carry permit, boycott Illinois and let our Governor know that
your vacation and shopping dollars are going elsewhere, or be sure and bring
your lawyer along for the ride.

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Non-profit organizations, and the Local, State, and Federal Governments, cannot do it all. Prepare beforehand. Have supplies. Have a plan. Follow all instructions issued by emergency agencies. For example: Should the authorities say to evacuate due to a Category-5 Hurricane with 30 ft. tidal surge, you may want to do just that. During any emergency, and during disaster recovery, there is a good chance you will be on your own. Learn how to survive beforehand. Include plans and provisions to save your pets.